He might not have the same instant recognition as Barack Obama or John Sergeant, the two figures that the political commentariat have been obsessed by in the past fortnight, but Lindsay Roy is just as significant a figure. The election of Labour's newest MP has bolstered the union and the fortunes of our governing party, much in the same way as the US election result was welcomed from Hicksville USA to Indonesia and Africa for offering a new, more progressive vision for the free world after eight years of George Bush. Stunning though the Glenrothes result was however, Labour must avoid simply resting on its laurels and would do well to study some of Obama's campaign lessons.

Acres of column space have been written explaining the Democratic win but they largely boil down to product and marketing, message and medium. Obama's background as a community organiser contributed to a turnout-maximising grassroots "get out the vote" operation, delivering even traditionally unreliable first-time voters. Obama can thank Hillary Clinton's stubborn refusal to throw in the towel at the primary stage for his superior organisation and network of offices. The campaign was also about media literacy. Memorable moments in this vein came aplenty: rumours spewing out on the Daily Kos forcing Sarah Palin to declare that her unmarried teenage daughter was up the duff, traditional television comedy shows accessed many more times online than their original airings destroying reputations and YouTube hits like ObamaGirl.

Crucially Obama's much-remarked on superior resources came principally from small online individual donations rather than bankrolling by a sinister sugar daddy. Compare this to the parlous state of UK political parties taking the begging bowl on to the yachts of Russian oligarchs and it highlights the mess we're in.

At the recent Guardian/Soundings After New Labour debate, Jon Cruddas spelt out the dichotomous choice between the "better world is possible" future versus "the shrill, sour language" of nationalism, authoritarianism and demonising minority groups. Obama's currency of hope triumphed over John McCain's sustained negative attacks. The Atwater/Rove tactics that elected two Bushes no longer work with a media-savvy progressive generation.

A willing army of volunteers across the country prepared to work round the clock delivered the presidency to the Democrats as well as increased majorities in both Houses. For Labour to emulate this, some current policies need a rethink. Many longstanding members find it unpalatable to publicly drum up support for the introduction of ID cards, renewing Trident and, until recently, the introduction of a 42-day pre-trial detention period for terror suspects. Recent retreats from some of these proposals and scaling down on school-testing has provided encouragement to progressives and needs further development.

Cameron's U-turn on sticking to current government spending plans shows how Tories revert to type in times of crisis and advocate slashing on funding essential services. Pathetically for a party seeking to govern the whole country they couldn't even keep their deposit in Glenrothes. No matter how imperfect Labour might be, it is the only party able to deliver progressive politics at the next general election. Nevertheless "no change" (the byelection's net result) would be a poor strategy for Labour at the general election. It is time to wake up and take note of where we are in the cycle. Setbacks cannot be dismissed as mid-term blues as the election draws ever-nearer. Above all we progressives must strive to turn hope into reality.

In occurring just 48 hours after the dramatic Obama win, the Glenrothes byelection initially looked like it had been timed to fall on a good day to bury bad news. However, by defying pollsters to hold the seat with an increased Labour vote, Lindsay and Gordon pulled it off, curtailing a tide of byelection defeats and abruptly ending the SNP's honeymoon. Given that Obama was able to convert an opinion poll deficit from late September into a historic win on November 4, there is ample time for Labour to turn things around for 2010 and reclaim the mantle of progressive politics. Polls indicating a Labour recovery are only just the start.

The UK has a lot to learn from our transatlantic cousins about doing politics. At the same time the record volume of internet votes recorded for the hapless John Sergeant on Strictly Come Dancing also demonstrates the viability of alternatives to casting a ballot at a polling station every four years in a participatory democracy, but surely what went on there must be another blogpost for another day.